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How to Do Music Study
Music study brings so much enrichment to your homeschool schedule. Here's a simple way to do it.
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Sonya Shafer
Your Questions Answered: Time to Play
Welcome to another installment of Your Questions Answered. As usual, my friend and co-worker, Laura Pitney is joining me. Here’s the question we’re going to discuss today: For elementary students, how do you balance all the subjects and still give…
Favorite Modern Times History Books for Grades 1–3
There are a lot of books available on modern history (about 1850 to present day). The trick is to find the good ones, the ones that are appropriate for those younger grades mentally and emotionally. Some very difficult events occurred…
Is My Child Learning Enough?
If you're feeling like your child is behind or not learning enough, take a moment to be encouraged.
How to Do Picture Study
Picture study is a simple but effective way to add art appreciation to your homeschool schedule.
Your Questions Answered: Common CM Homeschool Mistakes
Recently, Sonya Shafer and Laura Pitney and Karen Smith sat down to discuss this question: What are one or two (or three, four, whichever we get to) common homeschool mistakes that get in the way of success with the Charlotte…
Favorite Modern Times History Books for the Family
I must admit that I’m somewhat partial to old books. But when you’re teaching modern history, you have to find some new favorites. And I’m happy to tell you about some real gems that I’ve found and can heartily recommend…
Winter Nature Study
Sonya is joined by Karen Smith to talk about how to do nature study when it's cold outside.
How to Do Narration
Here's how to do narration: a foundational Charlotte Mason method.
Homeschooling Overseas with the Charlotte Mason Method
It seems like more and more people are traveling and expanding their horizons around the world. We often get asked for advice and practical tips from families who are planning to live and homeschool overseas. The Charlotte Mason Method can…
Our Wills and God’s Will
We’ve spent several blog posts talking about the way of the will and how to strengthen the will so it will be able to choose to do what is right, even when it’s hard. I’ve really enjoyed these weeks of…
Favorite Early Modern History Books for Grades 10–12
I remember my high school history books. They were nothing like these beauties! My history textbooks were full of summaries and facts. These are full of ideas and people and fascinating narratives that make the events of the past come…
Habit Training Yourself — New Workshop Video
I forget which convention it was that started it all. I had just finished presenting the workshop on Laying Down the Rails, all about instilling good habits in your child’s life. As I was taking off the lapel mic and…
I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Wish I Did
This morning my alarm went off as scheduled. I squinted my eyes part-way open and took in the dark room and the cold rain pattering against the window. It was a dreary day, but it was warm and cozy under…
Your Questions Answered: Christmas Season Edition
A well-rounded Charlotte Mason education involves living ideas from great books, the discipline of good habits, and the atmosphere of our homes. We’d like to focus on that third aspect today. My friend and co-worker Laura Pitney is here to…
A Chat with Pam Barnhill
My friend Pam Barnhill stopped by today and she sat down to have a little chat with us. Some of you might know her from her popular podcast, Homeschool Solutions. Sonya: Pam, thanks so much for joining us today. Pam:…
Favorite Early Modern Books for Grades 7–9
I love being surrounded by great books! My father recently made me two more bookcases, so I’ve been happily reshuffling and reorganizing my collection of history and literature books. That’s one of my favorite tasks: handling and organizing my books.…
3 Ways to Develop Willpower
Right off the bat, some of you may be thinking, “Strengthen my child’s will? I don’t need to strengthen it. He’s a strong-willed child already!” And that may be the case, but don’t jump to any conclusions. You might want…
Your Questions Answered: Fitting in the Good Stuff
My friend and co-worker Laura Pitney is joining me to talk about all of those wonderful enrichment subjects. Here’s the question to discuss today: “There are so many enriching subjects in a Charlotte Mason approach: picture study, music study, nature…
How to Choose and Use Field Guides
A good field guide can be a very helpful tool when you’re doing nature walks or nature study. Let’s talk about what to look for when you’re choosing them and how to use them. Joining me today is my longtime…